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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Walk-On Kicks Ducks To Dallas

Associated Press

Joshua Smith wasn’t even on the Oregon team when the season began.

Without him on Saturday, the 16th-ranked Ducks never would have escaped their “Civil War” against Oregon State with a 12-10 victory.

The walk-on freshman kicked four field goals, including the game-winner with 9:21 to play, as the Ducks clinched a berth in the Cotton Bowl.

“It’s a dream, it really is,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to wake up and read about it.”

First-year coach Mike Bellotti, who moved up from offensive coordinator when Rich Brooks left for the NFL after last year’s Rose Bowl season, wore a Cotton Bowl T-shirt and hat to the postgame interview.

“We didn’t sneak up on anybody this year,” he said. “We said all along that we needed to expect everybody to play their best games against us. I think pretty much everybody in the conference did that.”

The Ducks (9-2 overall, 6-2 Pac-10) were 17-point favorites against the Beavers, who lost their 10th in a row. Since Oregon was 5-0 away from Autzen Stadium this season, the Ducks wore their green road pants against the Beavers, figuring their luck away from Eugene would follow them home.

But Oregon State (1-10, 0-8) shut down Oregon’s high-powered offense, especially when the Ducks drove deep into Beavers’ territory.

Oregon quarterback Tony Gra ziani had an off-day passing but he rushed for a career-best 108 yards in 15 carries, several times on scrambles when the passing plays broke down. It was the first time an Oregon quarterback had rushed for more than 100 yards in 15 years.

Alex Molden’s interception and 17-yard return to the Oregon State 36 set up Smith’s 35-yard field goal that put Oregon ahead for the only time all evening, 12-10 with 9:21 to play.

Smith intended to join the Ducks when classes began this fall. But he was called in early from his hometown of Colorado Springs, Colo., when regular kicker Matt Belden was injured in the season-opener.

Oregon 12, Oregon St. 10

Oregon St. 7 0 3 0 - 10

Oregon 3 3 0 6 - 12

OSUReynolds 7 run (Lund kick)

Ore-FG Smith 20

Ore-FG Smith 32 OSUFG Lund 43

Ore-FG Smith 29

Ore-FG Smith 35

A-46,114

OSU Ore First downs 10 21 Rushes-yards 47-160 42-168 Passing 38 186 Return yards 9 52 Comp-Att-Int 3-10-1 22-48-0 Punts 9-42 7-38 Fumbles-lost 2-1 3-2 Penalties-yards 5-35 2-16 Time of possession 27:10 32:50

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHINGOregon St., Olford 11-57, Alexander 8-29, Stewart 7-23, Reynolds 5-22, Muhammad 12-15, Thomas 2-10, Williams 2-4. Oregon, Graziani 15-108, Whittle 22-50, Parker 2-5, Jelks 2-5, Winn 1-0.

PASSINGOregon St., Muhammad 2-6-0-31, Alexander 1-4-1-7. Oregon, Graziani 22-48-0-186.

RECEIVINGOregon St., Cross 2-22, Reynolds 1-16. Oregon, McLemore 7-62, Whittle 4-35, Wilcox 4-30, Spence 3-12, Hodge 2-10, Winn 1-22, Johnson 1-15.